Flocking method and apparatus



i Oct. 4, 1949. R. T. sPENcE 2,483,443

FLOCKING METHOD AND APPARATUSv Filed Oct. 5, 1944 5 ShetS-Sheet l "mumHm www FLOCKING METHOD AND APPARATUS rrg. 3. @Y )f www? mw Oct. 4, 1949.R. T. sPENcE 2,483,443

FLOCKING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1944 v5 Sheets-Sheet 3 @CL4, 1949. R, T, SPENCE 2,483,443

FLOCKING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed oct. 5,. 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 /05y? 9g 103 H.,

Oct. 4, 1949. R. T. sPENcE 2,433,443

FLOCKING METHOD AND APPARATUS Filed Oct. 5, 1944 I I She'ebS-Sheel'. 5

I. H` A Patented Oct. 4, 1.949

Rober-t T. Spence, Lynn, een one-hundredths t ton, Mass.

Massi,l assignorofeiglrto :Louis J. rllltalley, .llos-v Applicationoctober 5, 1944, serial No. E557,301

This invention relates -to novel method and apparatus forcoatingiadhesively treated surfaces with a nely divided material andlprimarily `to the art of flocking, i. e. the application of a coatinglef short fibres (cotton-silk, Wool, rayon, etc. cut to uniform lengths)-adhesively `to any `surface to form a pile-like covering thereover.

The vast range of practical flocking appl-ications involve A`(l)innumerable objects of various characters as to their size, shape andmaterial, v

(2) Vunlimited types of applications, regarding the specifications ofdesired ocked areas and designs, (3) kind, type, gradeand length offlock to be used, (4) kind and specifications of the adhesives, (5f) thepurposes of `the Yflocking 4applications. These varying conditionspresent intricate problems, each of which vmust be scientically -met toproduce satisfactory results in each and every case, `and I havediscovered a very practical and :thorough method of flocking, whichincludes features that function .properly and eiciently -to meet andmaster .these intricate problems. f

The procedure :to be followed will vary somewhat with the nature of theproduct to be flocked, the kind and length of -iiock employed, the typevof adhesive used,etc., but in any event I have discovered 'that 'theproduction of greatest efficiency and a Yvery superior product demandthat certain definite principles be followed in applying the flock.Briefly, these principles relate definitely and-specifically to certainnovel features which remove all guesswork and haphazard yprocedure fromthe process and result in a uniformly superior product regardless of itsn nature or that of the flocking materials employed.

I have discovered that the product being flocked, regardless of itsnature, must be rigidly supported and enclosed within a chamber if thefr' desired lobjects are to be efficiently accomplished. The surfacebeing ocked should face upwardly and a perfectly controlled verticalvibration? should be delivered to the chamber while flock under .properfeeding control is fed and arranged perpendicularly from a point aboveto the surface. Proper feeding control of the flock is one of the mostimportant elements of this invention and absolutely essential to itsversatility. The vibrating speed and stroke are also important and willvary somewhat under varying conditions =of productand flocking elementsemployed. The speeds and strokes employed will be those that are provento be correct through Idefinite practices and research on eachparticular .job 55 adhesive coating.

and lier-einafter referred '-to as predetermined stroke and speed. Theproduction of a lnewa-nd improved process and machine Lembodying theseprinciples applied to the flocking of any object tregartll'csf's of itsshape or character comprises a vprimary object of the invention.

The invention lccritemplates 'the rigid supporting of the object 'to Abelocked Within va kclosed c-l'iarnber in 1a flocking unit and thevibrating 'of ith-'e funit through a predetermined stroke in a verticalpath while feeding ock endvvise to the upwardly-facing fsurfac'eto beflocked, the vibrations 'of the rigidly ssupported object being 'semiilormly rapid and positively -forceful as to drive the perpendicularbres deeply into the I falso preferably eliminate the in uence of staticcharges Y.on the flock by grounding the nia/chine'and more particularlythe screen through which the flock yis sifted. Provision is furthermoremade fortp'ositively vibrating the flocked `surface in inverted positionwhereby removing all excess ock therefrom before remdving'theflockedobjectfrom the chamber, all excess flock being retained within thechamber .for future ruse;

further feature Lof l'the invention relates yto the continuous .flockingof yard goods, toys and other I'objects fof varying shapes, suchiiockingtaking plac'e withinfafclosed and vibrated chamber during which theobject being Vflocked is Vgiven a `ycontinuous movement continuouslyexposing diilierent surfaces thereof to the down- `viard'l'y directed'shower :of .perpendicularly positioned flock, the continuous movementof the cbec't together with the "vibrations serving not only to flockall upwardly exposed surfaces therecf butla'lso to remove .excess flockas such surfaces are moved to an inverted position.

llhave Vfurtlierrnorc,discovered that'a smoother and lmore uniformivibration ofthe flocking units can `be obtained 2by so counterbalancingone chamber "againstanother 'for simultaneous movenient in relativelyopposite directions vertically While vibrating :them simultaneouslythrough egual -stro'ke's vertically fand -in relatively oppositedirections; Such balanced construction togetherfwith :novel means forproducing the desired vibrating lspeed 'and stroke provides a superiorflocking machine adapted to a wide .variety of work :and vone whichfunctions with a controlled vertical faction delivered directly to theelements being processed within `the flocking chambers.-

This invention contemplatesY positive means, both method and apparatus,for accomplishing the highly desirable features .of flocking in agreater variety of applications and on any material such as paper,cloth, leather, rubber, plastics, wood, metal, glass, etc. and to a fargreater degree of quality and versatility than can be accomplished byother known and limited methods of flocking, such as blowing, spraying,beating, agitating with hex bars or other means such as electricvibrators, or by the electric static method.

The production of an improved method and apparatus embodying these novelfeatures comprises a further object of the invention. These and otherfeatures of the invention will be best understood and appreciatedfromthe following description of preferred embodiments thereof selected forpurposes of illustration and shown in the accompanying drawings inwhich,

Fig. l is a perspective View of a machine embodying my invention,

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Fig. l,

Fie'. 3 illustrates a card by the machine,

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of a portion of the machine,

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the exploded parts inassembled relation,

Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view, partially broken away, of one ofthe flocking boxes shown in Fig. 1,

Fig. '7 is a top perspective view of the box,

Fig. 8 is a sectional view, on line 8-8 of Fig. 9, through a flockingbox adapted to flock yard goods,

Fig. 9 is an elevation thereof on line -S of Fig. 8,

Fig. l0 is a perspective view, partly broken away, of another flockingbox adapted to flock toys and other solid objects,

Fig. l1 is a vertical sectional view through the same and Fig. 12 is alike view showing the parts in a dierent position.

which has been flocked partly in section My invention contemplatesprimarily a method and apparatus whereby any object, regardless of itsshape, size or material, can be uniformly and properly coated or:flocked in any manner desired on all exposed surfaces or any part 0fsuch surfaces.

The invention embodies a combination of principles which functionharmoniously in producing superior flocking applications on greatlydiversilied objects.

Four essential features that not only function to precision separately,but coordinate to make an efficient, economical, rapid and practicalmethod of flocking are:

l. Proper holding of objects during the flocking process. I havediscovered that, regardless of the nature of the object and regardlessof the necessary action or movement of the object during the process,the object to be flocked must be held rigidly, within a closed chamber,so constructed that any adhesively treated surface can be faced upwardlyto a controlled shower 0f flock, while the chamber is being vibratedthrough a predetermined speed and stroke in a vertical path.

2. Delivering controlled vibration to the object. I have also discoveredthat the many varying specifications of diversified flocking absolutelyrequire accurate adjustments as to speed and stroke of vibration.

3. Proper supply of :dock to the adhesively i.. machine.

4 treated surfaces. I have furthermore discovered that properlypresenting the flock to the adhesively treated surfaces while the objectis being vibrated scientically correct is of paramount importance.

e. Removing excess flock. Removing excess flock during the operation isessential to have the product come from the chamber in a finishedcondition. It is also desirable to retain excess flock within thechamber.

The rigid supporting of the object within a closed chamber and vibratingthe unit, causes the flock to sift down through the screen and eachlittle fibre immediately becomes perpendicular, due to the naturaleffect of following the least resistance in the vibrating atmospherewithin the closed chamber. The vertically vibrating air within thechamber tends to arrange and maintain the libres of flock to verticalposition in which position they are driven endvvise into the upwardlyfacing adhesive coating of the object. This action cannot be obtained inthe open air and, therefore, this feature is of great importance in myinvention.

Other features attending my flocking operations within closed chambersare: (l) govern the supply and placement of flock-just the right amountand right placing, (2) maintain healthy working conditions-loose flockin the air is very injurious to health, (3) eliminate waste--I cancalculate and use just the amount of flock needed for each job, (4)promote clean work shops-and not have to salvage loose, dirty flockaround the workroom for reuse.

A range of speeds and strokes of vibration to facilitate all flockingapplications -must be available. This feature is as important insuccessful flocking as a range of feeds and speeds are on machine toolsor the adjustments on a sewing Both machinists and stitchers know fromexperience that they have to make adjustments for different types ofmaterials and for varying cuts or stitches. And the means oftransmitting the predetermined speed and stroke of vibration directly tothe object Within the cham'- ber are essential.

'The type of screen, its mesh, width and length, height and locationplay an important part. I do not use a screen just to segregate thefibres, but in order to have perfect control of the shower of flock Iuse the proper screen for each application and regulate the adjustmentsregarding its location, width and length, and height so that just theright amount of the minute fibres will automatically adjust themselvesperpendicularly in the vibrating atmosphere within the enclosed chamberand penetrate the adhesive according to specications.

The flocking machine which I have herein specifically illustrated hasbeen developed for the purpose of carrying out the novel features andoperations hereinabove described and I desire it to be understood thatthe specific form of mechanism used is of secondary importance except inso far as it serves the required functions with precision, facility andeconomy. These functions include the flocking of various articles suchas cards, yard goods, toys, etc. varying substantially in shape andcharacter and requiring different treatments, and the machine hereinillustrated and now to be described has been constructed to perform'these operations with efficiency and precision.

Referring first to Figs. l-'l of the drawings, lil indicates a base onwhich the machine is supported. -Ihefilocking machine l2 perseiisailxeddirectly and immovably to the base by -bolts I4 andis .adapted to bedriven byidriving mechanism t5 :mounted on the 'base foradjustment.along parallel Aslots It in the base. IBolts I8 pass through .the.slots and are provided with wing nuts IS .for 'tightening the mechanismI5 and thecooperating bottom plate .llinto .holding contact with .thebase. Thefmechanism l5 comprises a motel-2l and a parallelcountershaft22 `.operativelyconnected bya belt 124.0n pulleys 25.and 26.A stepped cone pulley 23 yis afxed to the shaft 22 and is adapted todrive the flocking mechanism Ythrougha belt Y29.

The flocking mechanism l2 includes Atwo integral uprights 3d withinwhich is lmounted a shaft-32, and a stepped cone pulley 3d forcooperating with the pulley 28 is anxed to the shaft .32 between the twouprights. The twouprights 30 aresymmetrical as also are the twomechanisms operated vthereby at the two ends-of the shaft, the latterbeing adapted to vibrate-orreciprocate two flocking chamberssimultaneously as hereinafter described.

My invention contemplates precision flocking within "a closed chamberthrough the action of vibrating the chamber through a predeterminedstroke in a vertical path and at a predetermined speed, andin accordancewith the preferred form ofthe invention I provide for counterbalancingtwo such chambers, one against 'the other, and for vibrating thechambers simultaneously through equal strokes vertically and inrelatively opposite directions. Mounted on the uprights 30 is a bridge35 within which is alever 33 pivoted at an intermediate point 39.V Eachof the -two outer ends of the lever is pivoted att!) to a head i2 guidedfor vertical sliding movement in the bridge and having a 'horizontal topsurface disposed somewhat above the bridge. The heads 42 ci are disposeddirectly above the two ends of the shaft 32 and are adapted to bereciprocated in opposite directions therefrom by mechanism now tobevdescribed.

Each end of the shaft 32 extends through a bushing ini in its upright 3Gand is rotatably supported in its upright on a ball bearing '45 adjacentto the bushing, the ball bearing 'being held in place by a'plate d5securedbyscrews 541. A second bushing 48 is disposed on the shaft withinthe plate vd@ and a third bushing 49 .provided with an eccentric portion5i) on each end is mounted on the shaft adjacent to the bushing "d5, theeccentrics being in opposed relation on opposite sides of the shaft 32for counterbalancing purposes as illustrated in Fig. 2. A weight 5l onone eccentric 50 of each bushing 4S counterbalances the ball bearing 55on the other eccentric 5D thereof, and all are secured by a nut 52 onthe end of the shaft. Disposed on one of the eccentrics 5U and within arectangular block is ball bearing 55. The block -is fitted to and withina yoke 55 mounted for Vertical sliding movement in the upright 3Q, theyoke being connected to the head |12 by a tap bolt 58. The block 54 isfitted to have a horizontal sliding movement within the yoke but norelative vertical .movement (Fig. 5). Rotation of the shaft causes thetwo -eccentrics 5o, one .on each end of shaft32, to reciprocate theirheads d2 verticallyiand =the eccentrics areof equal throw and are soarranged that .they reciprocate the two heads equally'in oppositedirections.

.The chamber ineach upright!) is closed by a removablecover SB securedby .tap `boltsil and twof plugs .62 zthreaded :into :the cover areadapted to '.begre'moved for-the application of a speedometer connectionto the shaft if desired. The stroke impar-ted to ythe heads .ft2 canbechanged by removing the bushings 49 and substituting other bushings,havingzan eccentricity at 5g corresponding'to the stroke desired.Itfwill also be apparent that the vibrating speed imparted to the heads42 .can be varied by changing the position of .the `belt 29 onthestepped pulleys 23 and 34 andby shifting the driving mechanism l5 todifferent .positions along the slots l5. The bridge 36 is secured to theuprights by tap bolts 64 and is conveniently made in two pieces secured-together by tap boltst65.

In Figs. l, 2, 6 and .'7 I have illustrated mechanism for flocking aflat surface such as .the .card 56 shown in Fig. 3. Mounted on the head"42 is .an open rectangular frame 58. The bottom' wall of the frame isrecessed atti! andthe .frame is .secured .to .the head by bolts l!)extending through the wall atthe recess and threaded into holes l! inthe head. A rectangular flocking box l2 constructed to fit within theframe is illustratedin vdetail in Figs. 6 and '7. The bottom wall 'M ofthe box is pivotallyattached as byanadhesively secured canvas strip 15,A screen 15 ofpredetermined mesh is mounted horizontally in the boxdirectly above the bottom wall by brackets 'i8 secured by screws 19. Asliding closure .80 is fitted .to the top wall of the box yand a handle82 isattached to one end of the box.

A suitable amount of flock is placed in the box through theopeningprovided by the closure .89 shown in Fig. '7 and the box isinverted to the position of Fig. 6 when placing or removing a card .56.The card to be flocked is placed on. the inverted box, as shown in Fig.6, and Ythe bottom wall 'M- is then closed onto the vcard to hold itrigidly between the .box and cover, it being understood that the surfaceof the card facing the screen has beeen coated with an adhesive over thearea to be flocked. The box the frame in the upright position shown :atthe left in Fig. .2, it being understood that a box l2 is placed in eachof the two frames e8 for purposes of balance. The shaft 32 is thenrotated from the motor whereupon the two Yboxes are reciprocated orvibrated vertically in opposite directions. This vibration causes theflock to sift through the screen and Vto become arranged in endwisedirection as it passes through the vertically vibrating air on its wayto the card, and the vibrations transmitted directly to the card are soYintense as to drive the ock deeply and uniformly intothe adhesive. Thesize of screen, its area, shape, height, Imesh employed, the spacingofthe screen from the surface to be flocked, the rate and stroke ofvibration, etc. are factors that be and are varied in accordance withthe `nature of the lwork to be performed andthe character cf materialused. I desire however to emphasize the importance 0f controlling thesefactors and of securing uniform operation throughout to the end ofproducing uniform, supericrand finished work.

.It will be apparent `that each box within its frame 323 iscounterbalanced by the other box in its frame and that this novelarrangement not only .provides for the uniform operation :of

`both boxes but even more important provides a balanced mechanism'requiring a minimum of power and operating with .maximum smoothness andminimum undesirable machine vibration.

;My Ainvention contemplates notronly the flock?y ing of the adhesivelytreated surface but also the finishing of such surfaces by removingexcess and loose flock therefrom. When the flocking step has beencompleted as illustrated at the left in Fig. 2 the box 'l2 is removedand replaced in the frame in inverted position as illustrated at theright in Fig. 2. Operation of the machine with the box in this invertedposition removes the excess and loose flock from the card and leaves auniformly finished and secure flocking 84. The excess flock passesdownwardly through the screen to the top chamber and in position for thenext ocking operation.

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated a flocking boX 85 adapted to bemounted on the machine shown in Figs. 1 and 2 and employed for thecontinuous flocking of yard goods. This box has a recessed bottom wall8S provided with-screws 81 for securing the box to the head 42, anddisposed over the bottom wall is a fllock receiving pan 88. Disposedintermediately within the box and above the pan is an I-shaped block 99having top and bottom surfaces si and 92, and two rolls 93 are mountedon shafts Se at opposite sides of the block. A wide and endless band 96extends around the rolls and over the surfaces 9| and 92. The rolls andband are adapted to be driven by a belt 91 on a pulley 98 fixed to oneof the shafts exteriorly of the box. The top portion of the box isprovided with a removable hopper e9 resting on cleats and having sidewalls sloping downwardly to a screen |30 disposed over the surface 9|.The hopper is closed by a pivoted cover |02. The box is adapted toreceive and flock yard goods |03 passed into and from the box throughtwo openings |04 in a side wall.

The boxes 85 are adapted to be mounted on the machine in lieu of theframes S8 shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Yard goods to be flocked, as theribbon |03, is held under tension looped about the band 96 and extendsoutwardly through the openings |04. A supply of flock is placed in thehopped 99 and during the operation of the machine the pulley 98 isdriven in a direction moving the ribbon through the box as indicated bythe arrows in Fig. 8. The top surface of the ribbon is coated with anadhesive in any convenient manner and as it passes over the surface 9|beneath the screen |80 the flock is sifted and perpendicularlypositioned endwise the adhesive. The flocked surface continues about theouter roller 93 and as it passes back in inverted position over thedownwardly facing surface 92 the loose and excess flock is automaticallyremoved therefrom. outwardly of the box it is in finished condition andall excess flock remains in the box for future use. It is particularlypointed out that the surfaces 9| and 92 provide firm and rigid supportsfor the ribbon that positively impart the vibration of the machinethereto and eect deep seating of the flock into the adhesive and theremoval of all loose flock therefrom.

Successful and superior flocking requires that the flock shall beprojected endwise to and into the surface being flocked and suchdisposition of the flock to the maximum degree comprises a primaryobject of my invention. This object is substantially facilitated byperforming the flocking within a closed chamber having a screen which isvibrated as a unit with the chamber to sift the ock downwardly andarrange it in endwise direction to the surface being flocked asheretofore specifically described. This surface is located beneath andin close proximity to the screen and,

thereonto and driven deeply into j When the ribbon passes l since theatmosphere therebetween is enclosed within and vibrates with thechamber, there is no outside influence or tendency to disarrange theendwise position of the flock as it passes to said surface. It will alsobe apparent that such endwise disposition of the flock results in arelatively deeper penetration thereof into the adhesive.

It is well known that flock is subject to influence by static electriccharges and attempts have been made to employ static electricity tocontrol the movement and disposition of flock in flocking operations. Ihave discovered however that flocking operations can best be performedin the absence of static electricity and I prefer to ground my flockingmachine, as indicated at 95 in Fig. 1, and furthermore to ground thescreen through which the flock is sifted, as indicated in Fig. 8. Ametal plate |05 is disposed in the box to contact the screen l and theplate is grounded to the screw 8l by a wire |09. Thus it will be seenthat static charges are continuously dissipated from the screen, therebypreventing any static influence on the flock as it passes through anddownwardly from the screen.

The invention is also applicable to the flocking of toys and other solidobjects of regular or irregular shape and in Figs. 10-12 I haveillustrated a flocking box l particularly adapted thereto. This boxincludes a recessed bottom wall |l1 provided with screws |23 forsecuring the box to a head 42 of the machine in lieu of the frame 68. Aflock receiving pan l!) is disposed over the bottom wall. A shaft ||2mounted for rotation in one side wall of the box carries a disc-likeelement H4 on its inner end and from the margin of which projectsinwardly of the box an open grill l5 having a centrally disposed hub I6.The element I4 is supported for rotation within an annular guide H3secured to the adjacent side wall of the box by screws Ill. An openwheel-like support ||8 for the object to be flocked is rotatably carriedon the hub and is provided on its periphery with a band |22 of rubber orthe like for driving engagement by a wheel |22 mounted on the inner endof a second shaft |24. The two shafts ||2 and |24 are co-axial, aremounted in oppositely disposed side walls of the box and are adapted tobe driven by pulleys |26 and |28 on their outer ends and engaged bybelts |36 and |32. The top portion of the box is provided with a hopper|34 having side walls sloping downwardly to a screen |36 disposed overthe space between the two shafts. The hopper and screen rest on cleats|38 and can be removed to provide access to the interior of the box. Acover |40, like the cover |02, is pivoted to the box to provide aclosure for the hopper.

Two boxes |06 are adapted to be mounted in upright position on the twoheads 42 and can be loaded by opening the cover and removing the hopperand screen, or the box can be made other wise accessible for loadingpurposes. The object to be flocked, as the toy |42, is affixed inupright position to the support ||8 centrally of the hub it, as byadhesive or otherwise, the object having been suitably coated with anadhesive as will be understood. The screen is replaced, a supply offlock is provided in the hopper and the cover is closed. Simultaneouslywith the operation of the machine and the vertical vibration of boxesthe shafts I I2 and |24 are rotated at speeds which impart universalmovement to the object |42. Rotation of the shaft ||2 exposes all sidesof the object to the screen and rotation of the shaft |24 causes thesupport H8 to be rotated on the hub flllli and the ends of 'the objectto be likewise exately of and connected to the blocks at opposite posed.The shaft 1124 is ordinarily rotated relasides of the pivot axis, theblocks being adapted tively faster although the relative rotation imtoreceive and support flocking boxes thereon, a

parted to the shafts lwill be such as appears best shaft in the framebeneath the blocks, and means to expose and ock the object. In anyevent, it including eccentrics on the shaft beneath the will be apparentthat the object always remains blocks for vibrating the blocksvertically and in beneath and exposed to the screen, that the openopposite directions when the shaft is rotated.

character of the supports H5 and I I8 permit free 4. A method of coatingthe adhesive surface of passage of 'flock therethrough when these supanobject with a finely divided material, which ports are uppermost, andthat the universal move- -ists in rigidly supporting the object withinment of the object causes -its surface to be passed e 4 nbered spaceexcluded from the outside atvcontinuously to the screen and from thenceto i.. phere and with atleast a portion of said surinverted positionwherein the loose and excess Vfacing upwardly, projecting from aposition ced above the object va predetermined quan- `f s 'd materialdownwardly and in uniform on onto the upwardly facing portion of ace,simultaneously therewith rapidly It will now be apparent that I haveproduced a .g the object together with the air in said new and superiormethod and machine for perough a predetermined stroke and speed formingflocking operations on material and ob- 20 iii VerticalDath,riIiVerti1lg the object after the flock are automatically removed.The object is thereby flocked uniformly thereover and the operation iscompleted and finished automatically without manual elort.

jects of varying character and that the invention ariel? dividedmaterial has been projected onto is adaptable and applicable to al1types of hooking and 'driven into its upwardly facing portion, andregardless of the shape or character of the work. @Gi utile theVibrating actie-r1 to remove loose The work. ordinarily includes cards:or strips of eXCeSs `material from the coated and inverted sheetmaterial and solid objects and, while I have Slitta-- herein for thepurpose of simplicity illustrated 5 A method of Coating the adhesivesurface of the machine as operating on a single work piece arl Objectwith a finely divided material, which within a chamber, it will beunderstood that in COHSiStS irl rigidly Supporting the object withincommercial practice this feature can be multia' Chambered Space eXCludedfrom the outside plied as may seem desirable. It is furthermoreatmosphere and With at least a portion of Said pointed out that myinvention is based on new Surface facing upwardly, projecting fromaposiand superior flocking principles including ocktloh SDaCed above theObject a predetermined ing within a Aclosed chamber vibrated verticallyQuantity of vSaid material downwardly and in under absolute control, therigid supporting and uniform dStTbii-tOh 0fito the upwardly facingpositive vibrating of the surface being flocked and '35 Portion of saidsurface, simultaneously thereresulting in deeply flocked and superiorwork, the With rapldly Vibrating the objeot tog-ether with inverting ofthe flocked surface resulting in the the all ih Said SPaCe through apredetermined removal of loose and excess flock and the auto- Stroke andSpeed ih a Vertioal path, and simulmatic production of a finishedproduct, the retaheOuSly rotating the objeot about a plurality tainingof al1 unused flock within the chamber, 40 0I" relatively angular axes,thereby facing differthe perfect and automatic flocking of irregular entportions of said surface upwardly and reobjects by giving universalmovement thereto remoi/'ing loose and excess material from the sultingin exposing all surfaces thereof to the Coated portions aS they paSS toinverted positionperpendicularly positioned shower of flock, the 6- Amethod of flocking Which consists in provision of relativelycounterbalanced Hocking rigidly supporting ah object to be flockedwithin chambers resulting in a smooth and ellicient via chambered spaceexcluded from the outside brating mechanism, a single machine adapted toatmosphere and With at leaSt a portion of the perform all types offlocking, and finally a con- Objeot faoirlg upwardly, Projeotihg from a1005itrolled and fully automatic flocking operation in tion Spaoed aboVethe objeCt a predetermined which the manual, haphazard and uncontrolledquantity of ock downwardly and in uniform dismethods heretofore employedare entirely elimitribution onto the upwardly facing portion of matedsaid surface, simultaneously therewith rapidly Having thus described myinvention what I Vibrating the object together with the air in saidclaim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patspace through apredetermined stroke and speed ent of the United States is, in avertical path whereby to arrange the flock 1. A Hocking machinecomprising a frame, two endwise to and drive it into a coating ofadhesive supports mounted in spaced relation and for vertion the object,and simultaneously therewith cal movement on the frame, two flockingboxes moving the object to dispose dierent surfaces respectively on thesupports and each having a thereof upwardly and thereafter downwardlyflocking chamber and a screen of predetermined during the vibratingoperation. mesh disposed horizontally through the chamber, 7. The methoddefined in claim 6 plus the step means counterbalancing the two boxesone against of moving the object continuously in one directhe other forsimultaneous movement in relatively tion transversely of the downwardpath of the opposite directions vertically, and means for viflock duringthe vibrating operation, thereby brating the boxes simultaneouslythrough equal flocking different portions of the object as they strokesvertically and in relative opposite dipass through the flocking field.recticns. 8. The method defined in claim 7 plus the step 2. The machinedened in claim 1 in which the of continuously reversing and continuingthe counterbalancing means comprises a lever pivotmovement of theflocked portion of the object ally movable on the frame about anintermediate in the opposite direction in said space to a posiaxis andconnected to the boxes at opposite sides tion facing downwardly beneaththe flocking of said axis. position, thereby removing the excess flockfrom 3. A flocking machine comprising a frame, two the docked object asit moves in the said opvertically movable blocks in spaced relation onposite direction.

the frame, a lever pivoted to the frame intermedi- 9. The method definedin claim 6 plus the step Yof rotating the object about two relativelyright angular axes during the vibrating operation, thereby exposing allsurfaces thereof to the downwardly directed ock and removing the excessflock as the flocked surfaces become inverted.

10. A flocking machine comprising a box provided with a chamber therein,means providing a ock containing hopper at the top portion of thechamber, a horizontal screen of predetermined mesh disposed in thechamber between the hopper and a portion of the chamber therebeneath,means in the chamber beneath the screen and having a horizontal surfacefacing upwardly toward the screen for supporting a sheet to be flocked,means in the chamber for receiving said sheet from the surface andsupporting a loop thereof, the sheet being adapted to pass in onedirection over said surface and in a lower reach in the reversedirection therebeneath, said lower reach being spaced from the bottom ofthe chamber and the box having openings therethrough for passage of thesheet into and from the chamber, and power operated means for vibratingthe box vertically and uniformly through a predeter Y mined stroke andspeed.

11. The machineV defined in claim in which said sheet receiving and loopsupporting means is rotatably mounted, and means exteriorly of the boxfor rotating said rotatably mounted means to feed the sheet.

12. A flocking machine comprising a box provided with a chamber therein,means providing a flock containing hopper at the top portion of thechamber, a horizontal screen of predeter,

mined mesh disposed in the chamber between the hopper and a portion ofthe chamber therebeneath, power operated means for vibrating the boxvertically and uniformly through a predetermined stroke and speed, andmeans within the chamber for supporting and maintaining anobject to beflocked in position beneath the screen and including means for rotatingthe object at predetermined relative speeds about two relatively angularaxes.

13. The machine defined in claim 12 in which the last named means isconstructed to rotate the object about a horizontal axis andsimultaneously therewith about an axis in a plane passing through thescreen, and in which the object supporting means is of open constructionpermitting ock to pass therethrough to the object when such means isdisposed between the screen and object.

ROBERT T. SPENCE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 239,286 Whitnum Mar. 22, 1881358,647 Campbell Mar. 1, 1887 1,955,552 Kruger Apr. 17, 1934 1,991,001Reynolds et al Feb. 12, 1935 2,173,032 Wintermute Sept. 12, 19392,187,617 Fogg Jan. 16, 1940 2,340,850 Wolfson et al Feb. 8, 1944

